Harris County homeowners could see roughly $193 more on their annual property tax bills after commissioners take a final vote Thursday, Sept. 17, on a 7.6% rate increase.

The figure is a county-wide average, according to Harris County Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Daniel Ramos. Actual costs will vary by assessed property value. The increase applies to homeowners in unincorporated Harris County and the Harris County portions of Clear Lake-area cities including Friendswood, Webster, Seabrook, Nassau Bay and Clear Lake Shores.

The Harris County Commissioners Court is scheduled to adopt the proposed rate of about $0.67 per $100 in taxable property value, up from $0.62, at its 9 a.m. meeting at 1001 Preston St. in downtown Houston. The rate would help balance a projected $3.09 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, Community Impact reported.

The county faces a projected shortfall of about $180 million. Healthcare costs and a law enforcement pay parity initiative are the primary drivers. Ramos said the county budgeted for an 8% healthcare cost increase, but the actual figure came in closer to 12%, according to KHOU. The budget also includes $76 million for law enforcement pay parity and to fill vacant positions.

Commissioners advanced the proposed rate in a 3-2 vote at a Sept. 8 special meeting. County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey voted against it. More than 140 residents spoke during public comment, with several urging commissioners to reconsider the hike, Houston Public Media reported.

Ramsey, the lone Republican on the court, unsuccessfully proposed keeping tax rates flat. His amendment failed 3-2.

"We're patching the bullet hole with a Band-Aid for one more year," Hidalgo said at the Sept. 8 meeting, warning that $45 million in the proposed budget is one-time funding the court will need to replace next year.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who motioned to approve the rate, said at the same meeting that none of the nearly 150 public speakers asked for cuts to programs they use. Commissioners Lesley Briones and Ellis both secured additions to the proposed budget, including community safety and worker pay initiatives.

If passed, the rate would be among the highest in the county's recent history. It marks the fifth consecutive year that county spending has outpaced revenue, according to Houston Public Media.

Burn ban also on the agenda

Commissioners will also consider a 90-day burn ban requested by the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office. The ban would take effect Sept. 17 and last until the Texas Forest Service determines drought conditions no longer exist.

The National Integrated Drought Information System has classified Harris County as "abnormally dry." As of Sept. 14, 210 Texas counties had already instituted burn bans. The proposed ban would also temporarily prohibit the sale of certain fireworks.

The Sept. 17 meeting begins at 9 a.m. and is available to livestream on the county's online agenda portal.